El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) has launched a Bitcoin training and certification program for 80,000 civil servants.
On August 20 statementONBTC confirmed that Bitcoin education is now an essential part of a governance initiative designed for public sector workers. This program is part of the Higher School of Innovation in Public Administration (ESIAP), established by President Nayib Bukele in 2021 to improve governance standards.
The program includes nine training modules on Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, among others. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate in these areas.
Stacy Herbert, director of the Bitcoin Office, hinted at a bigger announcement on the horizon, noting that this program is just the beginning. She added:
“These education projects are very low time commitments to the long-term success of El Salvador and its bitcoin (& tech) policies.”
Meanwhile, these trainings are part of El Salvador’s broader efforts to promote Bitcoin education nationwide. Since adopting Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, the country has introduced three other crypto-focused education initiatives, including Cuboplus, My First Bitcoin and Node Nation, which are now part of the public school curriculum.
El Salvador Bitcoin
This move confirms that El Salvador remains steadfast in its Bitcoin strategy, despite initial criticism and doubts from international observers.
Indeed, the strategy appears to be finally paying off, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently acknowledged that the expected risks of El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender did not materialize.
Additionally, El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings have returned gains of over 35%, largely due to strategic acquisitions during market downturns. According to Nayibtracker factsthe country currently owns 5,848 Bitcoin with an unrealized gain of over $47 million.
Furthermore, President Bukele recently announced a $1.6 billion investment by Turkish firm Yilport Holdings to upgrade two ports in the country, one of which will house the proposed Bitcoin City. The city, which was planned during Bitcoin adoption in 2021, is expected to become a tax haven, powered by geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining, and attract crypto enthusiasts worldwide.